Five matches into the current Kenya Cup season and as matters stand, four teams have put in performances that underline their playoff qualification credentials. This weekend’s fixtures will mark the mid term phase and its only fair that we review the league to date.
Current leaders Pan Africa Strathmore Leos , defending champions Top Fry Nakuru and last season’s runners up KCB have all won their five outings to date, the Leos just inching away by virtue of collecting more bonus points that give them a superior points tally to Nakuru and KCB’s. These sides occupy the league’s top three spots heading into this weekend’s set of fixtures, which incidentally are the last before the Christmas break.
Throw in Mwamba to the equation, they look like strong contenders for a playoff position despite a narrow match day two loss away to the Western Bulls. They have put in assured performances that certainly boost their chances of returning to the playoffs for the first time since the 2012/13 season.
League debutantes Kabras Sugar have quietly gone about their business, working their way up to fifth and the ambitious club from Kakamega is one of a host of clubs also looking to be among the four semi finalists at the close of the regular season.
The sugar men have overcome difficult opening fixtures against KCB and Nakuru, falling to narrow defeats (3-13) and (10-13) respectively. They have recovered to post three consecutive wins though the real work starts for them after the Christmas break with a host of challenging fixtures, fixtures that will see them tasked to prove their mettle.
Kenya Harlequin, Western Bulls, Total Nondies, Resolution Impala Saracens and Homeboyz have stuttered through their opening five fixtures. They are part of a chasing pack that is equally intent on reaching the playoffs. They too have a lot to do in the period after the Christmas break and it will surely be interesting to take note of their performances. Will they all make a push for the last four? Will they end up playing the party pooper’s role?
Now we have the bottom four, Catholic Monks, Blak Blad, Mombasa and Mean Machine. Relegation is real, and that is what this quartet have found themselves fighting the chop. Two teams will be relegated to the Nationwide league at the close of the campaign and those two will surely be chopped from here. The relegation dog fight should be interesting.
Well, that was the mid term review, the league breaks for Christmas after fixtures on 20th December with action resuming on 10th January.